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Well, if we roll back to Ragnarok Online (I'd assume ALO is also inspired in part by RO) then it should be noted that a LOT of the pieces have a tendency to basically have one look. For example, every 1h Sword except Tsurugi and a few of the named ones share the exact same model. Heck, "True RO" is where items have absolutely NO impact on appearance (except silly hats).

This is probably more of a "Blizzard" approach where each item has a different appearance, and equipment shows up on your character.

In which case it makes even more sense for everyone to look similar.

In WoW put two Tauren Warriors in Endgame gear next to eachother, and the only difference you'll see is the shape of their horns.

Except for the fact that all the leaders (ie: the highest level people) are the ones who look different.

Hmm... speculating a bit, it seems like most gear in this game can be bought from the store. The major limitations of the factions, as well as the reward for killing a leader, is purely money. Which tells me that most of the best stuff in the game is mass producible, either through crafting or NPC vendors. Or both. But not the best best stuff. Powerful monster drops must be pretty rare, and anyone but the elite of the elite is wearing best-in-slot crafted gear, which all looks the same. For their race.

Or it just means that stuff is bind on equip rather than bind on pickup. Of course, I still agree with the "best in slot crafted gear" idea for the random goons whose only purpose is to provide mindless dps and a meatshield.

Or the animators are lazy as shit and don't want to draw that many random unique background characters, when you consider the likes of Leafa, Reckon, Sigurd, and Sigurd's men all had unique looks, and only Sigurd would be considered elite.

Given the lack of computer-guided Sword Skills in ALO, Leafa, already being a trained swordswoman, would have an edge of sorts in combat, as she already knows how to use a sword with skill. Which is really reflected in her choice of weapon; a katana. That implies she's bringing her kendo experience into the game with her.

There are tons of real girls in ALO though (supposedly it's more popular with girls because of the fairies and flying and all that). Notably, both of the faction leaders at the conference were girls. And of course there's no reason to suspect they were crossplaying (or indeed any reason for the other players to assume that Leafa isn't).